DA to continue fisheries interventions to boost output

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture said it would continue to provide interventions for fisheries production to ensure food security.

“We will exert strong efforts to ensure that quality fish and fishery products are made available, accessible, and affordable to the consuming public; and provide economic opportunities to fisherfolk and their families for additional and stable income,”Agriculture Secretary William Dar said.

Figures from the Bureau of Fisheries and Resources showed that the industry produced 3.12 million metric tons (MT) of fish, 1.94 percent lower than the 3.18 million MT recorded a year ago.

Aquaculture accounted for half of the production or 50.88 percent.

Municipal fisheries and commercial fisheries accounted for 26.88 percent and 22.24 percent, respectively.

Of all the three sub-sectors of fisheries, 50.88 percent of the total production came from aquaculture, 26.88 percent from municipal fisheries, and 22.24 percent from commercial fisheries.

The municipal and aquaculture sub-sectors posted an increase of 1.19 percent and 0.89 percent, respectively.

Among the interventions to be implemented by the DA-BFAR to help boost fisheries production is the Oplan Island, which aims to intensify aquaculture practices and climate change mitigation.

“These interventions aim to contribute to the target annual growth rate of two percent for 2021-2023,”the DA said.

The DA is also implementing the F/B Pagbabago livelihood program, where it distributes climate-proof fiberglass boats fishers.  It has already distributed 352 durable and climate-proof fiberglass boats to 16 groups of fishers, composed of 418 individuals through the program.